Majority caucus moved to take a 10% paycut for future compensation after this legislative session. Believe me, the legislators are not in it because they get a good salary. They serve almost pro bono. Carried unanimously. Way to lead by example.

Sat in Health and Human Services appropriations committee and heard why the dept of Human Services should be help harmless in budget cuts. I seem to hear lots of people saying “Yes, cut. But not my department. Everything in MY department is absolutely necessary.” Hmm.

My quick note – the beginning of the session is slow and somewhat boring. (Usually) This morning was no exception.

HB 17 – expedited partner therapy. We face rising STD’s in Utah – this bill allows medical providers to prescribe a course of treatment (antibiotic) for the partner(s) of their client, preventing the ping-ponging back and forth between partners. This bill passed out of interim committee with no dissenting votes. The only floor “discussion” was a question asked by Representative Ferry about partner testing. However, the bill is about partner treatment. It was passed out of the House with only 8 no votes and now goes to the Senate.

HB 106 – Controlled Substance Database Amendments by Brad Daw. This bill allows 2 people in a physician’s office, licensed under DOPL, to look up client information within the database and to enter information into the client chart. Makes it easier to check on prescription drug abuse, across the state. Utah Medical Association is on board and do not feel it violates client privacy, but allows health care providers to better help clients who may be addicted or in the process of becoming addicted to prescription meds. No discussion to the bill – two no votes

HB 238 – Exemption of University Housing from Eviction Laws, by Representative Holdaway. This bill would allow universities to be exempt from the cumbersome process of ‘official’ eviction and allow them to move more quickly in the case of university students who won’t leave. It only applies to housing owned by said universities and does not apply to off-campus housing. Very little discussion, passed over to the Senate

HB 34 – Penalties for Destruction of Bald Eagle by Rep Barrus. When the bald eagle was on the endangered species, the fine for illegally killing a bald eagle was $1000. When the bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list, the fine dropped to $100, the “generic” fine for killing any predatory bird. We only have 11 nesting pairs in the state, but do have a transient migratory population from about December to March. This bill puts the fine back to $1000. No discussion to the measure. Off to the Senate with zero no votes.

Pulling off the gloves early in the session, the “wrongful death” bill introduced by Senator Scott McCoy was shot down in the Senate committee, 4 to 2. The proposed legislation passed out of interim committee with little fanfare, but in a sometimes-heated 2 hour debate on the least controversial pieces of gay rights legislation, the split along party lines does not bode well for the other three bills being promoted by “Equality Utah”. Proponents for the legislation – which would allow any financial dependent to sue for wrongful death benefits after the loss of the primary breadwinner – offered impassioned pleas. Opponents called it the camel’s nose in the tent and declared that it was one more step down the slippery slope to allowing gay marriage in Utah. Senator McCoy promised to reintroduce the bill again next year.

The day ended with the governor’s state of the state address. Speaking in front of a packed crowd in the House chambers, Governor Huntsman talked about the economic distress we are experiencing, stating that it is imperative that “we ensure a level of trust between the people who call Utah home and their elected officials.” He called upon the legislators to first and foremost “prudently and wisely” balance the budget.

He also called for unity and not partisanship as our state’s leaders look to balance the budget and still keep the individual in mind. He announced an immediate resumption of transportation projects put on hold last November (hoping for “bailout” money?) The very best part of the speech, in my opinion, was this:

“I reiterate my call to all who can hear me: find someone in need and help them – whether it be a neighbor, a friend or a perfect stranger. We all have something to give, even if it is just a hand to hold, and there are so many in need right now.”

Amen. Utahns are known for their volunteerism, for their spirit of service and of giving. May it continue and in fact, increase, in these trying times.

Holly Richardson (Precinct Chair from Pleasant Grove) does some great Facebooking but isn’t equiped to blog.  She’s been up on the Hill, nearly every day, and has kept on top of some significant issues you might be interested in.  I told her she could “piggyback blog” on UnderTheDome.  (Holly’s views represent her thoughts and don’t necesserily reflect mine

Amid the pomp and circumstance that always surround the opening day of the legislature, our elected officials are “organized and ready to do business”. In the House, the business of the day started with a prayer by Elder Russell M Nelson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He asked that the legislators “put principle above politics and morality above expediency”. Former speaker Greg Curtis must have missed that part, because minutes after he introduced the members of the body and presided over the swearing in of new speaker, Dave Clark, he started lobbying for tobacco giant, Phillip-Morris. Ethics reform can’t come too soon. And speaking of ethics reform, joining him as a professional lobbyist is Mark Walker who was embroiled in an ethics scandal over the state treasurer’s race. Sigh. And so it begins.

On bright spot was the “Crimson 4″, an acapella quartet. They were awesome. They performed the national anthem, then Kurt Bestor’s “Prayer of the Children”, followed by one more hymn and closing with “I am a Utah Man”, with just a touch of “Rise and Shout” thrown in.

Speaker Clark in a somewhat gimmicky move handed out empty notebooks to the other 74 state representatives and asked them to fill them with 100 new ideas and return them by Pioneer Day, or they wouldn’t be allowed to graduate. Just kidding – no strings openly attached. If you have great ideas about our state, pass them on to your representative or do it directly over the web at utahmatters@utah.gov 

Over on the Senate side, newly elected Senate President Mike Waddoups told lawmakers he expected them to “Measure up” and had rulers to hand out.

After the pomp and a break for lunch, they all met in appropriations meetings. The cuts are running deep this year. Ouch.

All in all, it was an entertaining first day. Make it a point to go up at least once this session – it’s pretty darn interesting and usually a lot of fun, too.

Wow!  End of day three!!!  Energy level up in the morning…ready for bed at 6:30 p.m.

I remember when I started in the legislature almost six years ago, Rep. Lockhart described the legislative session  “like drinking from a fire hose!”  She was right.  The day starts at 6 a.m. on the I-15, 45 minutes to the Capitol on a good day.  First meeting at 7 a.m., Committees at 8 a.m., Floor time at 10 a.m.  Lunch meetings (or getting caught up on emails).  Committees from 2-5 p.m.  One hour on the freeway home (if there aren’t any evening meetings/events).   Read bills for the next day most of the evening…spend time with kids…maybe…blog.

Most of the bills considered on the Floor Calendar for the first few days are legislation passed out of Interim Committees.  This legislation has passed out of committee with a “favorable recommendation” and usually zippidy-doo-dahs through the floor debate…but not always.  Interim Committees are composed of both House and Senate members; therefore, the endorsement of an Interim Committee has ”validated” the bill bi-camerally.  Sometimes, bills take on a different life during the period between the end of the Interim season and the first day of the legislative general session.  Amendments may be introduced and additional debate is appropriate.

You can follow the action of Floor debate for the House and the Senate at www.le.utah.gov

Today we started on the “Big Board.”  The big board, or House Calendar, is the jumbo LCD screen on either side of the front wall in the House Chamber.  Electronically partitioned into five sections, this calendar is the “que” for House business.

Everything is done in order.

Bills are “passed out” of the House Rules Committee, approved by the body (by motion), and placed on the Third Reading Calendar (right side).   Bills are then presented by the House Sponsor starting at the top of the list and proceeding to the bottom of the list.  Bills at the top of the Third reading Calendar, which are “suspended,” are placed on hold by a motion to “Circle.”

Senate bills that come to the House are placed on the House Senate Calendar (center of board).  Bills on this calendar are considered from top to bottom.  Bills that come from the Senate are presented on the House Floor by the House Sponsor, so, bills that originate in the Senate may only be presented by an elected House member.

Next to the House Senate Calendar is the Concurrence Calendar (top, left side).  This calendar is provided for bill that have Senate changes from their original debated/passed form in the House.  The House votes to approve the Senate changes (concur) or to disapprove (not concur) with Senate changes (amendments).

Just below the Concur Calendar is the Consent Calendar.  Bills under consent are “simple” non-controversial issues.  Non-contested consent bills are presented by the sponsor and then voted…up or down…no debate.  Bills on this calendar sit for 72 hours before they are considered.

On the bottom right side is the Time Certain Calendar.  Bills on this calendar will be heard and debated at a specific date and time.  Bills here are issues, normally, with special interest.  This allows members of the body to plan to be on the House Floor during the time of debate.

The public can access the House Calendar by clicking HERE.  (Format varies for explanation above)

This year’s session began one week later than in the past.  Last November, voters changed the start date of the general legislative session from the third Monday in January to the fourth Monday in January (Article 6, Section 2).  Also, changed by the voters, the Legislature will now observe the President’s Day holiday in February (Article 6, Section 16).

This year’s pomp and ceremony featured an Invocation by Elder Russell Nelson of the LDS Church, posting of colors by armed colorguard, the pledge being led by Speaker David Clark’s grandkids (the highlight of the morning), and vocal presentation by the Crimson quartet.

Particularly moving was the speech delivered by Speaker Clark.  I’m very encouraged by his leardershipability…and…his passion for a solid direction for our state through difficult times.  It’s appropriate to have a “numbers man” with a clear vision…now. 

The afternoon was spent in Majority Caucus where representatives conversed candidly about budget matters.  I have learned to better appreciate Rep. Ron Bigelow’s (Exec. Approp. Chair) carefully word-smithed explanations about complex budget issues.  The final motions included majority support to adopt a FY09 budget to include 7.5% on-going cuts, with a 3.5% backfill of one-time money.

Good night.

Here is the LINK to listen to real-time” budget hearings for FY09 and FY10 appropriations.

 Recently released audio records of House Ethics Committee hearings are now available for your consumption.  Link HERE.